Located on an island in the West Indies, St. Kitts makes a dream vacation.
With palm trees, blue-green waters, many beaches, great food, and natural wonders like volcanoes and tropical forests, it adds up to a great trip for the whole family.
With U.S. Dollars widely accepted, it also makes traveling easier.
Snorkel, dive, or swim in the waters, enjoy tropical drinks and fresh fruits, relax on a resort, or just take in the views of the Caribbean Sea.
There are many things to do and see here.
This St. Kitts travel guide will help you plan your next vacation.
Table of contents
Table of Contents
Fast Facts about St. Kitts
- Power voltage is 230V at 60 Hz.
- The official currency is the Eastern Caribbean Dollar (EC) and 1 EC is equal to 0.37 USD. Note that U.S. dollars are widely accepted, but any change will be in Eastern Caribbean Dollars.
- The best way to get around is by taxi.
- To visit, you need a passport valid for six months from the date of entry. You do not need a visa as long as your stay is under 90 days.
- Flow and Digicel are the main mobile providers and a SIM card can be purchased through either of them.
- The sales tax rate is 17%.
Things to See and Do in St. Kitts
- Mount Liamuiga: Take a hike up to the highest peak point on the island at this stratovolcano. Travel through the surrounding tropical rainforests, see the summit crater, and bask in unparalleled views of St. Kitts and the Caribbean Sea. Make sure to bring a good pair of hiking boots.
- Zipline St. Kitts – A very fun adventure with fast ziplines over a jungle canopy.
- St. Kitts Eco-Park: A beautiful nature park that mixes the culture of St. Kitts and Navis and the Republic of China. Spanning 20 acres, come walk through the greenery, see the herb and flower gardens and fruit trees, spot the birds, and take some great photos.
- St. Kitts Scenic Railway: Experience St. Kitts in a whole new way on this tourist railway. This scenic 3-hour tour takes a loop around St. Kitts and gives you a chance to see stunning views of the island.
St. Kitts Travel Guides
Budgeting
Accommodation
Budget: You can find cheaper inns and hotels for around $50 to $100 per night. These places come with private air-conditioned rooms, free Wi-Fi, a hotel restaurant, and laundry service.
Mid-Range: For mid-range hotels, expect to pay $100 to $200 per night. Amenities include outdoor pools, a fitness center, a hotel restaurant/bar, and room service.
High-End: Upscale hotels and resorts will cost around $200 to $350 a night. Enjoy the best of St. Kitts hospitality with top-of-the-line service, air-conditioned suites with ocean views, babysitting services, fitness centers, private beaches, kid clubs, infinity pools, fine dining, and snorkeling and diving services
- Check out our favorite booking platforms Booking.com, Tripadvisor and VRBO for the best deals on accommodation.
Food
Fresh fruit and vegetables, seafood, and meat are the main staples of the St. Kitts cuisine.
Goat stew is one of the most popular dishes and is a tomato stew mixed with goat, breadfruit, papaya, and dumplings.
Roast pig is another popular dish.
When out and about, look for street vendors or beach shacks selling things like barbequed meat, conch fritters (fried sea snail) or roti (wrap with curried vegetables).
You can find typical meals for around $10-$25, with upscale restaurants priced around $35 per meal.
The Best Ways to Get Around St. Kitts
Getting to St. Kitts:
Getting to St. Kitts: The Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport is the main airport and is just 2 miles from downtown Basseterre.
Direct flights fly from major hubs in North America and London England. Flights: You can check for the best flights to St. Kitts on Skyscanner.
Transportation:
Train: St. Kitts has a railway, but it is used as a tourist attraction and goes in a loop around the island.
Scooter: Scooters are a great way to get around St. Kitts, and there are numerous rental places, with prices starting at $25 per day.
Bus: Buses are a cheap way to get around, but they do not operate on a schedule. You can either wave one down or go to the ferry terminal at Basseterre (which goes south and west) or Baker.
Taxis: Taxis are a great way to get around and come with flat fees. Before you get in, make sure you know the fee and whether it is in USD or EC. Go from the Bradshaw airport to downtown Basseterre for roughly $12.
Rent a car: To rent a car, you will need to purchase a driver’s permit ($24) before you can rent a vehicle and will generally need to be at least 25 years old. Prices for car rentals start at around $45 per day.
Car Rental: To rent a car, you must be at least 21 years old and have a U.S. driver’s license. Check for prices and availability here.
When to go To St. Kitts
December to April is the most popular time to visit, especially in December when the popular National Carnival (Sugar Mas) takes place.
For those on a budget,
May and June are when you can get the best rates for hotels and fewer crowds. Temperatures are around 80 degrees Fahrenheit year-round.
Where to Stay in St. Kitts
Seaview Inn: Stay at this relaxed hotel in downtown Basseterre and enjoy prime locations to the beach, Independence Square, and the St. Kitts Scenic Railway. Afterwards, head back to the hotel to stay in air-conditioned private rooms, use the Wi-Fi, or head to the restaurant and bar.
Park Hyatt St. Kitts Christophe Harbour: This luxury 5-star hotel in Banana Bay has everything you could want for a memorable stay. Experience the best with private polished suites with individual pools and sundecks, spa services, a fitness center, two pools (one for adults and one for families), multiple fine dining options, a kid’s club, and more.
St. Kitts Marriott: This oceanfront luxury resort was where we stayed and it is wonderful. There are pools, fitness center, spa, and a beach club.
Check out our favorite booking platforms Booking.com, Tripadvisor and VRBO for the best deals on accommodation.
What to Pack for St. Kitts
St. Kitts is located in the Caribbean so expect hot and humid conditions. But it can get breezy at night.
- Walking Shoes: Bring a pair of sturdy walking shoes to keep your feet.
- Sunscreen: Protect your skin from the beautiful sun with some sunscreen.
- Layers: While the weather is usually sunny during the day, the nights can sometimes get colder, so be sure to bring at least one sweatshirt or jacket.
- Swimsuit: With so many beaches and waters to explore, make sure to bring a swimsuit with you.
- Smart casual clothing – There are a lot of dining options and high end accommodation. Bring something that you feel good in to go out at night.
- Sarong – We always pack sarongs, especially in the tropics. Read why here.
See our packing tips: packing list for smart travel
St. Kitts Travel Guide: Best Booking Resources
Whenever we travel to we make sure to start with these companies. We have tried a lot of different ones over the years and all of these have consistently proven to be the best when it comes to offering great prices.
We have used every one of these personally and continue to do so.
- Booking.com: This is our go site to when comparing prices for accommodation. It usually has the cheapest prices, especially in Europe and we love their interface. Not to mention you get free cancellation and you are guaranteed the best price.
- Trip Advisor: What we like about Trip Advisor is that we can look at all the reviews and then book our accommodation. TripAdvisor is where we go when we want to compare prices with multiple accommodation providers.
- VRBO: is the main search engine we use when we are looking for a home or apartment rental. It can sometimes be cheaper than hotels and it is the best way to stay in areas that offer a more local feel.
- Hostelworld: With one of the largest databases of hostels in the world, Hostelworld is the go-to site when you are looking for budget accommodation.
- Skyscanner: This is the first place we check for flights. It consistently comes back with the cheapest and best options. It allows us to compare a lot of airlines to get the best price.
- Rome 2 Rio: If you want to see how to get somewhere by plane, train, bus, ferry or car Rome2Rio lays it all out for you as well as related costs.I love how they show it all to you on a Google Map and it works offline.
- Get Your Guide: For all your day trip and city guide needs, we use Get Your Guide. It has the world’s largest collection of things to do with more than 30,000 activities in 7500 destinations.
- World Nomads Insurance: When traveling to Italy you should always have travel insurance. We have found the best bang for your buck is by far World Nomads.
St. Kitts Travel Guide: Related Articles
To browse all our articles and guides about St. Kitts click here.
